"ENTHUSIAST OF THE YEAR!"
What's that mean?

By David Miller
(From the "Red Line")

One of my more surprising moments was being selected as Enthusiast of the
Year by the SEMPCA at the holiday party. I had no inkling. Never thought
about it. But now, a few days later, it made me think, what is the Enthusiast
of the Year? It can't be anything I have done. There are a lot of people I know
that are more enthusiastic about Porsches, SEMPCA events, or just hanging
out with the other club members.

But who really should get it? I quickly realized that there are several people
that make this club work. They are the ones who deserve this award.

We all know our president, Leo Wanstreet, makes everything stay on track
and provides vision and motivation to chase ideas and accomplish goals. He
also helps out behind the scenes more than you know.

Then, one of the biggest jobs of all, the P4. Year after year, Patti Door and
Diane Cantor tirelessly work to get this out the door. No ifs, ands or buts! They
solve computer problems, find articles, follow up on events.

Patti and Jerry Door also keep this club vital by organizing the Club Race in
South Haven. This is a tremendous "gift" to the Club. Behind them are a list of
volunteers who come out each year to enjoy the camaraderie, bask in the
racing as spectators, but really work hard to make the event possible. These
volunteers are the Enthusiasts of the Year in my book!

Lanita (and Ted) Dunham are always there to help out. Lanita serves as
club secretary, preparing the minutes, always with good ideas, and volunteering
to organize a tour. Jeff Amos, year after year, as Chief Instructor at Waterford.
Another job that has to get done for us to enjoy our cars. Gary Ambrus as
Safety Chair, keeping us safe at the track. These are big jobs that take time!
Thanks!

Lew Cantor, Past President, organizing the membership dinners. It's not easy
finding speakers and restaurants that will draw the group out in any predictable
fashion. We club members are a tough group to get commitments out of early in
the planning stages. And Fred Young, volunteering as Concours Chairman. He
diligently studies this venue to provide a tough and fair evaluation for those
who wish to compete. Thanks to Neil Goldberg and the Denyers for the continued
help in this area.

Then you have Eric Walton organizing the insurance for each event. Eric and
Dawn are now second generation, joining Tom and Linda, who have helped
organize events. Time and effort! Dave Burton, along with the brains of the
operation (Diane), for organizing the Progressive Dinner and several other
events. Without their help, we are sitting at home with nothing to do. Dave
and Sue Secord, year in and year out, helping with events, organizing the holiday
dinner, and occasionally, other events. Howard Gilson, our Webmaster, who is
bringing us into the 21st Century through an electronic medium. He's about to
overhaul and update our web page again.

John and Becky Denyer, other tireless souls, who continue to give. John, as
Club Treasurer, keeps the books as well as he keeps his cars clean (so I
challenge anyone to do a better job). Becky has volunteered to operate the
Goodie Store. You have no idea what a task it is to carry a "store" to each
event in a Porsche. Maybe we should convince them to sell the cars and get
a Cayenne.

Rol Titsworth quickly responds to new people who want information on the Club.
He has 700 members (give or take) to keep happy, as well as valuable input
from his years with the Club He and Maxine are the people in charge of getting
that P4 in your mailbox.

Pat Ambrus has taken on a very fulfilling role that this club feels passionate
about: Charity. This club wants to give, not take, through its membership. Pat
tirelessly looks for the smaller charities with children that are overlooked by
the big name donors. Our club is not looking for notoriety. It's looking to do
good for those who are forgotten. Whether its being blind, deaf, sickly or just
under-privileged in some way, she will do the due diligence to make sure it is
worthy. This club is seeking ideas for ways we can help the under-privileged.

And there are many more we should thank.

Every year I say to myself, I need to step off this board and focus allmy free
and attention on my family. But then, my family jumps in with me and goes to
Waterford to watch me run at Drivers Ed, or to the Picnic, or on the Color Tour.
I have come to realize it can be a family event. Others bring one or more of
their kids or grandchildren to events. I quickly remember some of my own unique
experiences as a child. They will have a connection to me every time they see
a Porsche in the future. I thank my wife, Debbie, and children, Erica and Evan,
for they help me and allow me to play with my passions. This is their club too.

The friendships have been the best part of this Club. There are so many people
of different ages and backgrounds that care about my family. They care about
others. They have developed friendships with each other that have endured the
years. That is what touches my heart. That is what keeps me going. We have
great people in this club. Not the snobs that we all stereotypically thought of
before we ever purchased our first Porsche. We have all those people who
invite us into their homes for the progressive dinner each year. We have Phil &
Patricia Kubik who invited us back to Forest Lake Country Club for the holiday
dinner. Vic & Lucy Rivera who organized and prepared a feast (Lucy) for the
pre-45th anniversary party, hosting our speaker, Brian Redman. And Neil Goldberg,
for letting this club take over his shop every Saturday morning (not to mention
countless favors he calls in and other types of support he does for the club).
And John & Becky Denyer, for organizing the enormous task of the 45th
anniversary party at the Henry Ford. We have lots of peoples who make things
happen.

However, the real enthusiasts are the new faces coming to their first events,
walking up and introducing themselves. They want to become a part of what
we have had for years. We need their input. We thank them for coming to
meetings. We appreciate their thoughts and new ideas. We need continued
turnover on the board (fresh blood) to keep this club alive and moving forward.
This club is an asset to those who will get off the couch and come to an event.
Volunteer to organize an event. You don't' need to be a board member. If you
have an idea, toss it out here. We will help you. It's not our club. It's yours!
We want to have fun and to share the good times. Be enthusiastic about
your club!

Happy New Year! Happy Motoring!